Selective control apparatus



H;J.GRAHAM SELECTIVE CONTROL APPARATUS '7 sheets-sheet'l Filed Jan. 25; 1939 April *7, 1942. v J A 2,279,232

SELECTIVE CONTROL APBARATUS Fi1ed.Jan. 2 5, -1939 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q 12206-21702".- y B ny)? Graham "j p i 7,1942. L 2,279,232

. SELECTIVE comma-M M Filed Jan. 23j-1939 7 Sheets-Sheetfi abs 207 11222 0111 JfiraE/qfi April 1 H. J. GRAHAM 2,279,232 SELECTIVE CONTROL APPARATUS I '-/SLIP RING: 4

- showing adetail;

i s is a ears .-a

UNlT-Eo STATES I PATENT OFFICE z'mazsz 7 Haroldl. Graham; Boston, Mass assignor to Louis Letterman. Winthrop, Mass.

Application January 23, 1939, Serial No. 252,262 8 Claims. (01. 111-353) My invention relates to selective control ap-' paratus as, forexample, but without limitation thereto, electric fire alarm or other signaling sysstrumentalities, will be best understood from the As shown, leads 25 connect th several taps.

' numbered to 8 inclusive, of the resistance 23 to I the several segments 21 or a stationary commutator having a cooperating rotary brush 29. 'Ex-' following description when read in the light or the accompanying drawings of a signaling sysin the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a schematic circuit diagram of a P paratus accordingtotbe invention; Hg. 2 is a schematic circuit diagram of an elementary part of the circuit according to Fig. 1;

.Fig. 3 isa'schematic circuit diagram of a modifled apparatus according to the invention;v

Fig. 4 is an elevation, with parts in section, of

an instrumentality employed in connection with L the circuit schematically. shown by Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is a'section on the line 5-51: m. 4

Fig. 6 isia section on the line 8 or Fig. 4

.- with parts omitted and parts in elevation; r Fig. 7 is a plan or the instrumentality accord- I ingto Fig.4;

a is a section mi the line H of Fig. 4

withpartsomitted;

looking toward the lett.

Fig. 19 is a sectionon the linelllli ofFig. 9;

a Fig. 11 is a section on the line llil of Fig. 4;

rig.,lzeu wsau tail;p-

5 on the line 13 -1: of Fig. 7-;

\ t m me -them diagram showing pliiied schematic circuit diagram of the circuit e ee uihgm Fla; 1.

renewed, the schematic circuit arrangement first be explained.

or .electromotive force in parallel with the tem according to the invention, the scope oi which latter will be more particularly pointed out 7 or other'suitable current rectifier li, the lower 3 input termi'nal'ot which is connected by a lead tending from each of the several taps, num'- bered 0 to 9 inclusive, of the resistance II are leads 3| connected to the several contacts 33, associated with which contacts is a contactor, indicated diagrammatically at 35, at the end of a flexible lead 31 so that the contactor may be' placed selectively on'any one 01' the contacts 33.

is shown, the flexible lead 31 is connected by a lead 39 to the upper input terminal of a bridge 4a to therotating. brush :9. The opposite outture 5| in electrical communicationwith 5. lead put terminals of the rectifier, asshow'n, are conncted by leads l5 and 41, respectively, to the 0p-' positeterminals oi the coil of an electro-magnetlc' relay 49. As shown, this relay has an arma- 53, and is adapted to be moved to contact alternatcly with the contact points and 51 at the ends of leads 59 and SI respectively so as to place the lead 53 in electricalcommunication withthe lead 59 when the relay is energized and when it is deenergized to permit aspring I 'to place the armature ii in contact with the point $1 for plac ing the lead. 5: in electrical communication with J the'leadil.

As shown inrig. 2, the lead a is connected through a resistance and-lead 61 to the lead I3; and is connected to the-lead I! through a resistance Bland lead 'li.

As hereinafter explained, the relay 4t ar ranged to act as part or a control device, movement or the armature 5| or the 'relav'being' effective to cause the control device to cause a plurality or movable parts to'be arranged in relative. selected positions. 7 specifically in the mittedj embodiment of the. invention-hereinaiter ation of the submitted embodiments for the invention may be more read:

shown in-Fig.2, a resistance ii is leads!" and I5 to thewopposite" terminals respectively. or a suitable source of di-- -orf alternating electrcmotive i'orce exemplifled by the battery-i1. Connected across this described the plurality of movable parts move with the rotating brush 2!, and the relay "is operated when the brush is'in' selected positions determined by the contact points" ;withwhlch the contactor 35 is caused to contact.

It will be observed that the resistances and 23 serve asvoltage dividers; and,that by each resistance tapped in the same wayfcorre spondingly numbered taps on the two resistances will be at the same voltage. e

With the parts in the condition shown in 2 there will be a constant impressed on the upper input of the rectifier,

- over the segments 21 of the commutator.

operated.

2 g v which potential will be mu that ofthe battery llifthevaluesoftheilandtlare 'the'same, 'lhelowerinputterminaloftherectiies, and alternates with each half revolution of the brush. this alternating electromotive force to a direct The rectifier however changes electrom'otive force to keep 'the relay ll constantly energized. If the contactor under the conditions explained in the preceding paragraph is placed on one of the switch points 33 the potential difier Itwilliurtherbeobservedthat.ifasourccof alternating electromotive force is employed in place of the battery l'l,suitablei mpedances may beemployedinplaceoftheresistsncesections oftheresistaneesll andltandthatineither casetheoperationof the'relay isindependent of fluctuations in the value of the potential of .be'arranged to'operate at zero potential, but

ence across the input terminals of the rectifier will bezero when the brush 2! contacts with the commutator segment connected to the corresponding tap of the resistance 23. -For ex-- may be to operate at any convenient predetermined potential difference.

InFig. lisshownanadaptationoftheeiementary circuit according to Fig. 2. The same reference characters are applied to.I"ig.1 asto ,v Fig. 2, and the arrangementisthesame except 'thattheIeadsQ'IandIIinEgJareconnected ample, if the contactor 35 is placed on the switch point 33 connected to the tap' i of the resistance Ii the potential diiierence across the input terminals of the rectifier willbe zero when the brush :9 contacts with the segment connected to the tapi oftheresistance 2I.'-WhentheDO- tential diiierence across the input terminals of the rectifier is zero the relay is will be momentarily deenergized, permitting the spring 63 to draw the relay armature 5| downward to make it contact with the switch contact point ll,- un

der which conditions the control device will be It will be observed that by successively causing' th contactor '35 to contact with different contact points I! the relay 0 will be successively.

operated when-the brush arm is successively in predetermined positions; determined by the particular contacts 33 with which the contactor Ii contacts. It will also be observed that wheneverthe contactor 35 is moved out of contact with a contact theparts will be in the con-g dition illustrated in Fig. 2 and the relay will again be energized to move the armature II into contact with the switch contact point it.

It also will'be, observed that when the contactor tiis placed on a contact 33" the resistshoes 65 and a will be in parallel with the cor- 4 responding portions of the II at opposite sides of the tap to which the contact is connected. By the resistances It and '9 of high value as compared to the value of the resistance ll only a slight difi'erence in the potential impressed on the upper input terminal of the rectifier will be caused over that which would be caused by the voltage divider aiforded by the resistance Ii in absence of the resistances I and cc. This error may be compensated for by causing the tape on the resistance II irregularly to divide that resistance. For example, if the total value of each resistance H 'and 28 is ohms and the value or each resistance I1 and,

progressively decreasing toward the value 10" ohms as the center of the resistance 28 is apso a 500 ohms; the taps of the resistance u may to the leads II and 2| respectivelyinstead ofto the leads I: and II as in Fig. 2. but electrically one is the same as the other, as will be clear from an inspection of Fig. 2. InFig.1apluralityofthercsistances II are provided adapted to be connected across the battery leads. and II. As shown, these II are part of thermostatic devices of a fire alarmorothersystem..-" As diagrammatically illustrated in 1, each resistance-ll is in the form of a flexible coil wrapped about a flexible bi-metallic thermostatic element 13. Referring to the thermostatic device shown at the upper right hand corner of Fig. 1, the thermostatic element 13 at its upper end carries in insulated relation thereto a contact arm Ii which, when the element ll fiexes on account of being heated by the presence of a fire. is caused to contact with the yieldablezspring arm 11, the latter being connected to the negative lead I 5 of the battery II by a lead It. The upper end of the resistance Ii is connected by a lead II to the contact arm II, while the lower end of the resistance is permanently connected which it normally is, the resistance will be co ected across the battery II.

In the negative battery lead Ii is the coil 'of a relay 81. The armature ll of this relay, which armature is electrically permanently connected to the lead II, is drawn to the left against the resistance of the spring OI upon' the current i .fiowing through the lead I! consequent upon the resistance l I being connected across the battery as above explained. Drawing the armature tothe left causes it to contact with the switch point it so as to connect the lead II to the lead It and thus connect the tap numbered -l of the resistance 23 to the negative terminal oi the battery II. The tap numbered I of the resistance 21, like the tap numbered I of the resist-.

ance H, is permanently connected to the positive terminal of the battery,' that tap of the resistance 23 being so connected through the leads 7 II and I8. Hence, when'the resistance II isconnected' across the battery! the occurrence of a fire. the resistance 23 is caused automatically to be connected across it.

Referring again to the upper thermostatic dey vice shown-in Fig. 1, the same comprises a flex:

proached, est-will beglear to those skilled in the art.

ible contact arm the lead llrunning to'the upper input term'inal 98 connected by a lead ll to of the current rectifier ll.

, upper end- I13 constituting a contact othercontacts in spaced insulated relation to them. These threelcontacts, as shown, are separately connected by e toselected tapson the resistance I shown in the contactsnumhered 2, and 5.

1: to flex I the flexible sistance' H across the nected to the contacts At its upper end in insulated relation thereto and to each'other'the thermostatic element 1:

carries a pair of spaced contacts "and III. the

of the'thermostatic element positioned between these suitable flexible ileads I05 I, for example, the upper thermostatic device, to

also

' when a flre causes thethermostatic element I sufliciently for the contact to touch arm 11, and thus connect the rebattery leads I3 and I5, the current caused to flow through the resistance will heat it and cause the thermostatic elementfurther to flex, and as a result successively cause the contacts 89, I05 and I51 in the order named to wipe across the contact 55, the arm 11 flexing This of course is the contactor'35 of Fig. 2

during this operation. equivalent of touching the (which corresponds to the contact 95- of Fig. 1) successively to-three switch points of Fig. 2, namely, as shown in Fig. 1. those which are con- 2, 5 'and5 of the resistance II. 1 e

The middle thermostatic device of Fig. '1 is similar to the one just described except that the resistance II- thereof is connected across the battery leads I3 and I5 upon rupture'of the explosive bulb I01 upon the occurrence of switch III and thus connect the lead 8|, running'from the zero tap of the resistance II, to the battery lead I5. Y

In'place of theswitch 15, 11 of the upper thermostatic device of Fig. 1 a separate thermostat may be employed for initially connecting the resistance II across the battery leads I3 and I5. This' arrangement is shown in the lower. thermostatic device of Fig. 1, which is provided with-a thermostatic switch 3 having a bimetallic element H5 which will cause the switch to close and-connect the zero contact of the resistance II to the negative battery lead I5 upon the occurrence of-a flre.

It willhe understood of course that the-thermostatic device-can be responsive to conditions other than fires as, for example, as shown in connectionwith the lower thermostatic device of Fig. 1', a Bourdon tube or the like I I1 may he connected toa "pressure system as, for example,

I afire, which rupture allows the spring 'arm II! to close the a sprinkler system. rn such case, if the pressure of the system drops,the tube will close-the switch II! and connect the zero tap of the resistance II to the-negative battery lead I5 through the 'lead 8|...as heretofore. ,7

It will'be observed that as many as one thousand'thermostatic devices II maybe-associ ated with the battery leads I5 and I5 and the current rectifier lead 39,.each of which devices, in a manner hereinaftefexplained, may be caused to indicate a separate signal corresponding to the station at which the thermostatic device is placed as, for example, a stateroom of a ship. How- 'ever, when the audible signals are to he sounded numbers having a zero following a digit must be omitted. As illustrated, the three thermostatic devices shown have their taps connected to indicate the numbers 295,52, and 5, respectively.

As-showin in Fig.1. the leads n, I5 and as common to the several thermostatically operated'devices are arranged in'the form ofa cable of a'panel indicated by the dotted lines I21, on which panel is conveniently mounted the relay having the coil 81, hereinhefore referred to, and the associated 'instrumentalities Y of the apparatus.

.R'efl'ringtoFigs.4tol3aswellastoFig.1,"

on the panel I21 is mounted a motor I25 connected through-reduction gearingcomprising the train of gears Iii, I33, I35 and I31 to a hollow shaft "amounted for rotation in the spaced frame memhers I4I. 1

On the shaft I39 and between the frame memhers I are shown three spaced drums I43, and fixed to the shaft interiorly' of each of the drums is a support I45. Each support I45, as shown,

carries an electro-magnet I41 having a cooperating armature I49 (Fig. 6) pivotally supported on the support at I5I, a spring I53 normally stationary.

As clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 6, energizing leads I59 and IGI extendfrom the electro-ma nets I41 through perforations I62 in the support I and shaft I39 to the interior -of the latter. These leads extend to the several collector rings I63, I65, I51. and I65, as schematically illustrated 1 in Fig. 1, and as structuralLv illustrated in Figs.

4, 9 and 10.

, As shown, the collector rings lust referred to are mounted on the exterior of a cylindrical sleeve I" of insulating material (Figs. 9 and 10) fixed by the'set screw I13 to the end of the shaft I39 so as to rotate therewith, each ring being separated by an annular disk I15 of insulating material. Through the sleeve extend bars I11 of conductive material, there being one bar for each collector ring. Each collector ring is electrically connectedto a separate bar 111 by a pin "9 scre w-threaded in the collector ring and extending through the sleeve I1I into contact with the bar.

The ends of the leads I5! are each connected to a. separate bar I11, as shown in Fig. 9, while the three leads I6I are connected to another of these bars so as to form the'common lead Iil shown'in Fig. l.

Brushes In (Figs. 1 and 4) cooperating with the collector rin s I53. I and I61 have connected thereto leads I83 (Fig. 1) which extend severally tdthe contacts I55, I81 and I" of a sequence switch hereinafter explained. The

brush ISI cooperating with the collector ring I69, to which latter the common lead "I for all theelectro-inagnets I41 is connected, is connected by a lead I93 to the leadll so that when the relay 81 is energized to throw the resistance 25 across the battery the electr'o magnetslfl will be in just referred to.

The lead 43 running from the commutator brush 28 also extends through'the hollow. shaft I3! and is connected to the collector ring '43.

Cooperating with this collector ring is a brush '43 to which is connected a continuation of the 'Ifliconnected to the binding posts m, m and I25, respectively, at the lower right hand corner condition to be energized by the selective switch pin 213 on which is mounted a bell crank lever, one arm 2i1 of which latter forms, an armature The stationary commutator having I the segments 21 hereinbefore referred to is carried by a casing I 31 secured to'the adjacent frame member I41, the brush 23 being carried, in any suitable manner, by a plate I33 in insulated relation thereto, the plate being fixedly secured to the shaft I39 so that when thelatter rotates the brush will wipe over the segments 21. The casing I31, as shown in Fig. 11, is provided with an opening 2lll through which the leads 23 from the segments 21 extend to the taps on the resistance 23. 20

- As illustrated in Fig. 1, the segments 21 are 7 preferably so connected to the tape that when the brush bridges the insulation between two adlacent segments it is possible for the brush to short circuit only a portion of the resistance 23. 25

the spring blades 243 and 243. When the electro- This is preferably done to prevent momentarily short circuiting the battery, which would occur when the. brush is on the segments connected to s the taps numbered 3 and 3 if the segments were connected to the taps in the manner shown by Fig. 2. In this connection it will be obvious from Fig. 2 that the-brush is, if narrow enough to contact the insulation between adjacent segments without contacting either of those segments,

would, when it is on only the insulation, momentarily cause the relay 4! to be deenergizede For that reason the brush is made wide enough to bridge the insulation, as is indicated in Fig. 1.

As shown, eachdrum I43 has ten flattened,

radially projecting arms 203 presenting faces which are concentric with a shaft 233 when in a plane transverse to that shaft. The faces of each arm 233 are provided with projecting teeth 231, nine of the arms on each drum beingprovlded with one to nine teeth, respectively, the as teeth being entirely omitted from the tenth arm. 'l'hedrumsarearrangedtobestoppedinseiected positions to present to the actuating part of the switch rotated by the sh t 233 selected series of rm as, for example, 30

teeth for sounding an when arranged in podtions caused by the upper thermostatic device of Fig.1 to sound the alarm represented by the numerals 2-9-5, and when arranged inpositions caused by the lower thermostatic device of that figure to sound the alarm 56 represented by the numeral 5.

The shaft m isdriven throughsuitable re} duction gearing, indicated schematically at 233 in Fig. l, driven by the motor I23, this reduction searing being housed by the casing 2 (Fig. '1) go carried by the motor and forming no part of the invention. The ratio of the gearing and speed and the wiring diagram of 'Fig. l, the drum 2i3 (as shown) interiorly thereof carries a projecting cooperating with an electro-magnet 2" carried by abracket 22i-iixed to the The arm 223 of the bell crank lever has pivoted thereto at 22375 a switch actuating arm 221, a spring 223'acting one. shortrod 23i,whichlatterextendsthroush aperforationinthearm223 andisconnectedto the arm an, acting yieldlngly-to hold the latter -88-insttheformer. l\sshown,thearm221has todrawthearm2i1ofthebellcrankleverto-' .ward. the .electro-magnet and .hold it there.

When the arm 221 is in this latter position the rotating drum causes the end portion 233 of the arm to rideover the teeth 231 positioned on the drums I43, and in this way open and elm the contact points of the spring switch blades .231 and 233 carried by the arm 223,-there being for that purpose interpo ed between the arm 221 and the switch bladeal-a block 2 of insulatingmaterial carried by the arm- 221 and contacting with thswitch blade 231. The switch, afforded by the blades 231 and 233 (asshownlcontrols a single stroke bell circuit so as to tap of! numbers as the end 233 of the arm 221 rides over the teeth' Also carried by the arm 223 is a switch having I electro-magnet 213 energized.

As illustrated in Figs. 4, s and 13. the drum 2| at its rearward side carries in insulated relation thereto and to each other three collector rings 243, 23i and 233 with which cooperate brushes.

233, 231 and 233, respectively, (Figs. 7 and 13), the brushes, as shown, being carried by an arm 2" carried-by the motor casing 2i I'.

As shownin Fig. 1, the switch blades 23'' and- 233 are connected by leads 233 and 233 to the collector rings 233 and 23l,-respectively.-, The brush 231 cooperating with the collector ring 233 is connected by a lead 263 to the negative terminal of a single stroke alarm bell 2. while. the

, brush 213 cooperating with the collector ring 2" I is connected by a lead 213 to'the lead I33, which latter is connected to the lead 2i, the lead 2i being connected to .the negative terminal of the battery when the relay having the coil 31 is Closed upon occurrence of a fire. Consequently, when the end 233 of the arm 221 rides over the teeth 231 successively to open and close the switch provided by the spring arms 231 and 233, the negative terminal of the single stroke bell will be alternately connected to and disconnected from the negative terminal of the battery to complete the bell circuit because the positive terminal of the bell is permanently connected by a lead 211 .to the positive battery lead i3.

The brush in cooperating with the collector ring 243 is connected-by a lead 2 to the lead I 211, which latter, as above explained, is permsnently connected to the podtive terminal of the battery. the collector ring beingconnected by a lead 233 to the switch blade 243-. The switch blade 243 cooperating with the blade 243 is con-. nected by a lead 233 to one terminal of the ciec-. .tro-mmet 2". the. other terminal of which is connected by a lead 231 tothe lead 233 which, as before explained. by means of the collector ring an, brush an and lead ma connected to the negative terminal of the battery when the device is'iiif operation when a-iire or the like V tive terminal of the way' the sequence blades 331-, respectively, to contact with the conintotheirpositionsshownbyl 'ig; 1. V.

' I3. magnet is whicharmature is. u- .t.

fieneejhen switch m and m are in closed electro-ma'gnet will be energized to' keep the arm'Zl'I-(Flg. 4) drawn to-- 2n carried byahracketzss in insulated relation thereto, the bracket being carried by the panel the heat of the the will cause the associated therill, as shown byFlgs. '7 and 12. The terminal oi the electro-magnet iiswhich is connected to the-switch blade ,5 is also connected by a lead 295 to the pin 23!, as shown in Fig. l. The switch blade. or brush 2" which cooperates with this pin is connected by a lead 291 to that one of the leads I33 which extends to the contact I" of the sequence switch, this contact being the contact at the switch-last connected to the posi oi theelectro-magnetll! to be connected to the positive side of the battery, the" other terminal of the electro-magnet, asabove explained, being connected to the negative side of the; battery when a fire occurs, and therefore, as operation of I" and I3! is of known construction schematically shown by Fig. 1. It comprises a shaft zsao'a which are fixedly mounted notched cams 33!, 333 and 335 each controlling a spring switch blade 33]. Fixed on the shaft is a ratchet wheel 303 adapted to be turned step by step by a cooperating pawl l,- a1holding pawl 3l3 being also provided. "The pawls are suitably operatively' mounted-on apivoted armature 3| 0! an electromagnet 3ll, aspring 3l3-retracting the armature to cause. the pawl 3 to engage the next successive tooth when the armatureis deenergized -so that whenitis again energized the ratchet wheel will be rotated through onetooth. In this switchcauses the three switch tactsflfl, lll a'nd ils successively when the de- .vice is operated to turn. the ratchet :wheel step by step from its position shown in Pig. 1, in ,which position the blades are out or contact with allthe contacts. Thearrangement and'constructionoi the cams are such that: tour successive energisations of the electro magnetwill cause the shaft 2 to be rotated through no", withthe result that when all the blades are in contact with the contacts the next energization of the electro-magnet will move all of them out of contact, that is'to say, move the blades again It willbe observed that, as shown in FigQl, the electro masnct 3llqhas one perconnected by a lead .32l to the lead ill, whichlatteris connected to thepositive side of the battery by the leads I! v fl'he-oth er terminal ofthe electro I ,connectedby alead323 tothe' switch pointmfli of havingthe armature ll,

, t m-m ll inthe normal condition t err orithe apparatusthe electro-magnet 3II is ener-i the ratchet wheel 3 inthe posihattery during the operation of the apparatus. Contact oi. the pin 23!! with the;bru'sh arm Isl thus will cause one terminal tion in which all the switch blades 331 are out of contact with their when a fire or the operations take place: o (1) Assuming, tor convenience of description. that-the fire occurs at the station at which is situated the upperthermostatic device 0! Fig. 1,

like occurs the following mostatic element 13 to flex, which in turn will cause the contact 15 to move into contact with the spring arm 11 and establish a circuit through the associated tapped resistance I I, as hereinbefore has been explained. Placing the resistance H in circuit in this way will establish a flow of current from the positive terminal or the battery through the leads l3 and 33 to the end tap 9 of the resistance, and from the end tap I of the resistance to the negative terminal of the battery through the switch l5, l1 and leads I! and I5, in which latter lead is placed the coil of the relay s1. Flow of current through the coil of them lay 81 will energize that relay and cause the armature 89 to move into contact with the switch point 93, the armature being held in that position for the duration of the fire, or at least 'ior as long as the resistance i'l remains in circuit.

(2) when the armature 89 is moved by opera tion (1) away from the contact 325,v the circuit through the electro-magnet 3" of the sequence switch is interrupted, causing the spring 3|! to move the armature 3l5to' the left to position the:

pawl 3 to gripthe next tooth or theratchet wheel 3" so that the'sllhft'l will be turned to cause the left handswitch'arm 331 to contact withthe contact I36 when the sequence switch is again energized.

(3) Moving'the armature "by operation (1) againstthe switch point 33 connects the resistance 23'across thebattery I'Iibyway of the leads liand 2i and the leads I3 and IS. The

field :21, which is connected by the leads. e

329 and 33l in parallel with the resistance 23,-'is by, the same operation also connected across the battery. 7 (4) When the resistance 23 is energized .the brush 23 through the lead 3, in which latter are the collector ring rand brush 43 impresses a potential on the lowerinput of the rectifier ll; At the same time the upperinput ter- 'minal or the rectifier is connected to both the positive and negative sides of the battery, being connected to the positive side through the resistanceiiand leads 31,19 and I3, and to the negative side throughvthe resistance 65, leads -'II and II, switch pointji, armature 39 and lead Ii. The rectifier isthrefore energized and energizes the coil 48 moves the armature 5| into contact with the switch point 55;

I (,5) The armature ilbeing connected by the lead 53 to the lead II, whichlatter has been connectedby operations' (1)1 and (3) to the negative: terminal of the battery, causes one terminal ofthe armature or the motorill'to'be connected.

, by operation (4) to the negative terminal of the battery through the switch point is and lead is.

The other terminal o1v the motor armature is permanently connected to the positive side of the battery by the leads 333, Is and I3, hence the motor as, as a resultoi operation (4), starts rotating and that rotates all the drums H3.

16 Ashereinbeiore connectingthe resistance in circuit heats it to cause continued fiexure of the thermostatic elements-I3, so as to wipe t contacts can: and Jill successively in the order named over the switch arm or while the drums are rotating. When the contact 33 wipes over the arm 33 it impresses a certain voltage on the lead 33, which voltage, ashereinbefore explained, is determined by the tap on the resistance II to which the contact 33 is connected. That voltage is impressed on the upper terminal of the current rectifier 4| by the lead 33. When the relatively rapidly rotating brush arm 23 selects the same voltage and impresses it upon the armature 5| by contacting with the contact 51' causes the electro-magnet 3I1 of the sequence switch to be again energized because one terminal of that magnet is permanently connected, with the positive sideof the battery I1, as here- 'inbefore explained, while its other terminal is connected-by the leads 323 and 3|, armature 5|, leads 53 and 2|, armature 83, and lead I5 to the negative side of the battery. It will be observed that as a result of operations (1) and (3) the motor I23 and the resistance II of the thermostatic switch are substantially simultaneously energized. This causes the motor to rotate while the resistance II acts as a heating coil to heat the thermostatic element 13 to cause continued flexure of the latter, which flexure successively wipes the contacts 33, I33 and I3I' over the switch arm .35. Should the lug or projection I55 of any drum, I43 be out of engagement with the associ- V ated armature I43 when the motor starts rotating it will be moved into such engagement by the; rotation of the motor before the contact 33 contacts with the switch arm 35;

(7) Hence as the result of operation (6) when the brush 23 selects the same voltage as is selected by the contact 330i the thermostatic switch, the motor I23 is stopped from rotating and the ratchet wheel 333 of the sequence switch is moved through a distance 01! one tooth to cause the switch blade 331 at the left asviewed in Fig. 1 to contact with the contact I35. All the switch blades 331 are connected by a lead 333 to the lead 333, which latter is connectedto the posand 2|, armature 33, leadii to the negative side of the battery. Therefore the electro-m'agnet m of the left hand drum I43.is energized to disconnect that drum from the shaft I33 when the motor I23 stopsrotating on account of the contact 33 of the thermostatic device contacting,

with the arm 35.

' (8) As soon asthe element 13 moves far enough to move the contact 33 past and out of contact with the arm .35 the current rectifier 4| is again energized (operation (4)) to cause the armature il of the relay 43-to moveto the left as viewed in Fig. 1, which 11 -\the, Ql -magnet 3i! or the sequence switch,

causing thespring 3" to retract the pawl 3H to grip a new tooth, asexplained in connection with operation (1), the switch blade 331 the armature 2I1'(Flg. 6).

cooperates with the contact- I35 of the sequence switch remaining in closed condition to keep the left hand electro-magnet I43 energized. When the relay 43 is thus energized its armature 5I again closes against the switch point 55 and causes the armature of the motor I23 again to be energizedv (operation (5)) and that motor .to

rotate themiddle and right hand drums I43, the left hand drum now remaining stationary.

( 9) When the thermostatic element flexes further to cause the contact I33 to wipe over the arm 35, operations (6) and (7) are repeated, ex-

cept that the middle drum I43 of Fig. l is stopped a instead of the left hand drum by reason of the switch arm of the sequence switch cooperating with the contact I31 moving against that contact. As soon as the continued flexure of the thermostatic element 13 moves the contact I33 beyond the contact portion of the arm 35 operation (8) is repeated, again to rotate the right hand drum I43.

(10) The operations above explained'continue until the third right hand drum I 43 is stopped from rotating when the contact. I 3| of the thermostatic device contacts with the arm 35. When this contact moves beyond and out of contact with the arm the motor 233 will again rotate, but all the drums I43 will then be stationary. The drum 2I3 however will continue to rotate.-

(11) When the sequence switch'closes the last contact I33 thereof to stop the third drum 3, the brush 23I-associated with the drum 2|; will be connected to the positiveside of the battery, I1 through the lead 231, the lead I33, contact I33, switch blade 331, and leads335, 333, I3 and I3. Therefore, as soon as the pin 233 contacts with the brush 23I, t terminal of the elec'trcmagnet 2I3 which is connected by the lead 235 to the pin 233 will be connected to the positive terminal of the battery. The other terminal of this electro-magnet isi connected to the negative terminal of the battery by the leads 231 and 235, collector ring 25I, brush 213, leads 215 and .2I, armature 33, and lead- I'5. Hence the electromagnet 2I3 will be energized to draw toward it Such-operation of the armature 2" will close the contact points of the switch blades 243, 245, the latter of which bladesis connected by the lead 235 to the terminal of the electro-magnet 2I3-tq which the pin- 233 is connected, while the switch blade 243 is connected to the positive side of the'battery'by thevlead 233, collector ring243, brush 213; and

leads 2 3I, 211,. I3 and I3. Hence the electromagnet 2I3 will remain energized. Energizing the eieetm-magnet, as hereinbetore explained, causes the end 233. of the arm 221 to project from the periphery of the drum,2I3. and ride over the teeth 231 of the radial arms 233 on the. drums I43. Also, as hereinbefore explained, this causes the switch arms 231, 233 to open and close' and thus cause the single stroke bell 2" to tap oi! signals.

(12) Conveniently, an alarm bell 331 isprovided which sounds' continuously upon energization of the relay 31 upon the occurrence of a fire. One terminaljof this bell is permanently connected toa positive terminal of the battery. The other terminal is connected by a lead 333 to the contact point I cooperating withthe armature 343 of a relay 3 45, that armature being connected by 'a lead 341 to the lead; 2I, which latter is placed by the relay" in communication with the negative batterylead II when a fire occurs, as hereinbetore explained in connection with opv.mature 351 by a lead 331, in which latter is inp frame members'I4L' erations (1) and (2). Therefore, when the relay s1 ismstenergizedtodrawthearmature 9| into contact with the switch point as, the lead 339 is connected to the'negativeterminal of the battery by way of the armature 343, leads 341 'and .2I, armature 39, and lead I5. That causes the bell 331 to-sound. when the last contact I39 ofthe sequence switch .isconnected to the positive side of the battery (operation (11)),'ior

- causing the single stroke hell 2" to be sounded,

a. current is established from the positive side oi. the battery, by way of the lead I83 connected to negative side of the battery. Hence the armamm 343, when all the drums have stopped It.-

tating and the single stroke bell-is about to sound, is drawn away from the contact 3 to (13) I When the thermostatic device flexes sufflciently to move the contact IOI past the contact arm '95 (operation (10) the sequence switch will be energized (operation (8) to cause The motor I29 however continues to rotate, and the bell to sound, until the battery switch 35I is opened or the switch .35 associated with the thermostatic device is opened.

As illustrated in -1, the remote end of the battery leads I3, I5 are bridged by a high resist- 'ance 353 which causes a current or low value continually to flow through those leads, this current not. being of great enough value to operate the relay 81. interposed in the lead I3 however is an extremely sensitive relay 355 having an armature 351 cooperating with a'switch point 359, the sensitivity of this relay being such that the mature :51 out of contact with the switch point :50, I: the circuit should be interrupted through the battery I1 or eitherot the leads I3 and I5, a towhichisconnectd the commutator segment or the cable I 2| should become broken, the relay 355 will deenergized to permit the spring 35I to draw the armature :51 into contact with the switch point359 and cause an'alarm bell-333 to sound. Asshownl one terminal of this bell is I connectedby a lead 355 to-the switch point 359, while the other terminal is connected to the arterposed ithe' battery 369 so that the armature- 351 and switch point 359 act'asa switch to con-' m1 the'bell circuit.

As'f'urthe'r illus ted m'mgefi aema v,

eachdrum I43 has secured thereto a gear wheel 3" each of which meshes with a gear 313, the latter being'in. mesh with gears 315 carried by asecondseriesofdrums311. 'I'hedrums311 are provided Wlthhubs 319 rotatable on the stationaryahaft m (manna 6) whichiscarried at .oppositeend portions of the frame members I4I.

Each gear 313 a hub 333 (FlgsQLand 6) which is mounted for rotation-on a stationary;

shaft 335 carried at opposite ends thereof by the As the gear wheels'flI-and 315have at same pitch diameters, the drums 311 will be rotated at thejsame speed asthe drums I43. This construc-' tion enables the peripheries of the drums-3 11 to" be placed close to the sight opening m (Fig. 6)

oi cover 339f'or the instrimientalities onlthe 'paiillflz 'lhese drums 311whave their peripheral portions provided withnumer'als or other inindicated in Fig. 3.

in Fig. 4. Inthis way-when a fire occurs a visual signal is indicated,- corresponding to the Si nal 'which is tapped by the bell 21I.

- tionary bar 393 carried at opposite ends thereof by the frame members'fli.

each brake band is shown as connected by a spring 395 (Fig. 6) to a pin 391, which latter extends through a perforation'399 in 'a bar 4" common to all the pins and carried at opposite- I end portions thereof by the frame members I. interrupt the circuit through the bell 331. 20

The projecting end of each pin 391 remote from the spring 395 is screw-threaded and is provided with a nut 403 bearing against the rod 40I,which constructionenables the springs 395 to be tensioned for te'nsioning the brake bands. it to make one stroke, which will return that 25 switch to its position ofparts shown by Fig. 1.

. In practice when the parts are in the position shown in Figs. 4 and 6 and the armature members I49 are against the lugs I55 to cause the drums I43 to rotate with the shaft I 39, the arms 203 of the several drums having the same num- 21 which is connected to the tap of the resistance 23 of the same numeral as corresponds to the number of teeth on the arms 203 1vhich are adjacent the drum ,2I3. As the number of commutator segments are \the same as the number of arms 283 on each drum I43, and have the same angular ac ,th hrum can be disconnected I small current flowing is effective to hold the ar- 40 from g '39 when drum m "3 adjacent the drum 2| has the same number of teeth as corresponds tothat tap of the resistance 21 with which the brush29 contacts... when the upper thermostatic deviceof Fig.1, for example,

and III as shown,-the first or left'hand drum of Figs. 1 and 7 will stop rotating and be discone nected from the shaft I39 when the arm 203 hav ing two teeth is adjacent th drum'2l3, while the middiedrum and left hand drums" l43,will

stop rotating and be disconnected when the arms having-nine and'flve teeth, respectively, are adi iacentthe drum 2-13.

Commonly it is inconvenient to connect all the thermostatic devices to a single cable mas To obviate this the thermostatic devices may be connected in groups, say of shown iii- P18. 1.

100. each for example, .to difi.erent cables 405 as Preferably, when this is-to be done, the cable I2I is fromthe binding posts I23,- l24 and I25 0! the panel I21 and a cable 401 con nected to them, this cable also having a pair of wires 409 and 4H connected-to the binding posts -41: and 4I5'respectively.- The bin i 130813 413 is .showriin Fig. 1 is connected by the lead 4" to the lead 3" between the bell 353 and battery us, while the binding post m is shown-as connect'edtb the armature 351,.to which latter the lower terminal of that battery-is connected; in

v V other words, 'posts4l3 and m are 7 dlciaco to the number of teeth 201 7' connected to opposite terminals respectively of on the arms203 of the I43, as indicated The opposite end of nectedin parallel.

the battery as. when the cable m is connected to thebindingposts onthepanel llLthe supervisorybelllilwillbedisconnectedsothat thebatterymay'actuatethesupervisorysignals for the thermostatic devices shown mm. 3.

3,theleads li andli'ofthe cable lllconnect with the positive and negative terminalsrespectivelyotthebattery llonaccolmt of the fact that those terminals are conenepmeuzamnmispmamewirea-onhe cable is continued by a wlre 3l"-which has taps leadingtobindingpostsl25,towhichlatterare connectedinparallelthewiresll oftheseveral cables Ill leadingtothegroups ofthermostatic devices.

The negative battery lead llofthe stem iscontinuedonthepanel fllbyalead'll 'which' hasvarioustaps lilea'dingtothebindingposts ll'l onthatpanel. Ineachoftheleadsli'is insertedtheenergizingwindingotaretardedrelayfll. Tothebinding'postlllareconnecte'd inpara'lleltheleadsli'ofthecableslll.

Ihe positive battery lead IP01 the cable I isconflnuedonthepanellflbyalead l3). whichhastapsleadingtothebindingposisfll towhichtheleadslflofthecableslliareconassociated with instomlinzoitheflrstdnnn llibecausethecuirent which minutes the retarded relay I! also. causesoperationoitherelayfl oiFigJinseries withit.

with the above described arrangement each thermostatic device on a given cable I will when operated cause'the first drum Ill to be stopped in the same position; inother words, the first numeral of the numbers caused to be indicated or sounded by any thermostatic device on a given cable I" will be the same for each device, as is indicated in Fig. 3 by the numbers the thermostatic devices on these cables.

AsshowninFig. 3,across,eachpairofbattery leadsfl and I5 is a resistance ll! of high enough value to cause a feeble current to flowcontinuously through the relaylll associated with that cable. "i'his current is. not strong enonghtocausetherelaytodrawthearmature 3 toward the adjacent relay pole piece, but'is 'strongenough'toholdthearmaturelilinthe -positionshown by the drawings, in which posi- Asshown'in Fig. 3, bridged across the positive andnegative battery leads I!" and II by means of theleads I3 and II respectively is a resistance ll'l identical electrically with the reslstances ll of-tbe thermostatic devices. Tap

tionthetailpleoeslsloithearmaturesareheld against the associated switch points 455. Under rtbeseconditionslampsli'lareenergiaedand illummatedbyreasonofthefactthateach armaturetailpiecelilisconnectedtoacom- ,mon lead I, which latter is connected to that oneofthebindingpostsllltowhichthelead lll'ifromoneoi'theterminalsoithebattcrylu ofl ig.lisconnected,;andoneterminalofeachlampisconnectedtotheadiacentswitchpoint- 455, while the othertenninals oi the lamps are connectedtoacommonleadlil connectedto thatbindingpost 2| .whichisconnectedtothe ieanusext nningrmmtheocnhsite'temimier thesamebattery. Byreasonoi'thisconstructlon,soiongasthecirclntsalenotinterruptedfliroughthebatteryleadsofthesevemlcables Ill allthe lam]! 451 will be illuminated, while if one of those circuitsslumld'be interrupted the .oorrmpmdinglampwillbeextinguished.

lealkllsextendfmmtheseveraltapsoithere sistanceliLeachtoaspringcontactarmllL- asociatedwltheaoharmaturemoftberetarded unemewne'w. Inotherwordaasthelead ji'isacontimntionoftheiadlloflimldhe armatlnemw lfl llaerosathecontaot'armlll impressesapotuitialon thehldlliintthe sameasonewouldbehnpremedupmitiithe contactlloioneoithethermostaticdevicesoi l'kiwipedoverthecmtaetfiottmtflsm'e Alsocooperating with eachtailpieceliloi thearmature {ll isasecond-switchpointm withwhichthetailpieceoontactswhmthe relaylilisdeenergiseduponintermpflonoithe circuitinthe associated leads I! and II" of'the eablelli. Whenthisoccursthe continuously ringingbelllllisenergiaedandrlngsbecause' 'onetenninaloithebellkeonnectedtothelead lilwhiehas'justexplainedisincommlmicatlonwithoneterminalotthebatteryfliotl'ig.

Lwhile'theothertermihalofthebellwflinmderfl .such comditlonabe cognectedbytheleadlll.

towhichlatteralltheswitchpointsmareconnecteitheannature'tiilpiecelilandleadlll totheleadl llextmdingtotheotherterminal ofthebatteryafl.

Itwillbeunderstoodthatinplaceoithethermostaticallyoperateddevicesoimlandi manually orotherwisecontmlled devicesmay be employed for sucoe dvely drinns-lll.,l brezample,asahowninl'ig.3,a tappedreslstanceltlidmflcalwitboneotthe uistanceslLmaybeconnectedacmst-hebat- -teryleadsll andl l Asshowmeachtaplead m mm the luistanoelllhasinita "ton "I, whichpush buttons maybeused for seleeiivelyconneoiin'gthetapstoacommonlead lllcumectedwiththewirejl leadingtothe upperinputtenninalofthe'rectiilerll ot-l'fi; 1.' successively operatlngtheoemshbuttonsinse lectedorderwili-aemtetheamatmto dr andtha'twlll nttionthedruma llttoiadicateand'tapoflnum- 'tials.

bars in the same way that the actuation of the thermostatic devices will. For example, it the push buttons in the leads from the taps 2, 8 and Sam closed in the order named the ,drums 3 will be positioned to tap oi the number 2-9-5 just the same as wouldactuation of the upper thermostatic device of Fig. l. It will be under- I stood therefore that the resistance having the taps controlled by the push buttons 413 maybe substituted for the thermostatic devices to form difference between said brush and the instant potential selected by said primary device, whereby said members may successively be stopped an annunciator system. Also, if desired, the re- 'sistance having the pushbuttons may be connected as shown in Fig. 3 to act as a supervisory I device for testing the apparatus. The resistance 469 may, if desired, be permanently in circuit, but to prevent current drain on the battery II a normally. open manually operated switch "I is preferably inserted in one of the leads 413 which connectthe resistance across that battery.

- It willbe-understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, wide deviations may be made from the forms'of the invention herein described without departing from the spirit thereof. I claim: I 1. Apparatus comprising a plurality of rota- I table members to be stopped in different selected relative positions having, in combination, stop means for successively causing cessation of rotation of said members, control-means for successively operating said stop 'means responsive to a predetermined potential difference, which control means comprises a series of contacts and a means for said first mentioned means responsive to the impression thereon of a predetermined potential diiference forstopping said part and interrupting said connections, and responsive to the impression thereon of other potential differences for causing movement of said part; and

means for impressing said. potential differences on said control means comprising a primary potential selecting. device connected to one terminal or said control means for relatively slowly successively impressing thereon selected. potentials,

and a varying potentialcreating means for rapidly impressing on another terminal of said control means a potential varying with the position of said members, whereby by causing said pricooperating contact engaging part, said series and part being relatively'movable in definite timed relation to said members, means for establishing a different potential on each of different contacts of said series of contacts for varying the potential impressed on said part, primary means for successively selecting difierent potentials, and means for impressing on said control means .the potential difference between the instant potential of said part and the instant potential selected by said'primary means so that when .said part and series of contacts are in a H predetermined relative position to establish the predetermined potential which operates said stop means the latterwill be operated to stop rotation of one of saidmembers, whereby said members may be successively stopped upon saidprimary means being caused successively to select poten- 2. Apparatus comprising a plurality of rotatable members to be stopped in difierent selected relative positions having, in combination, a stop means for eachoi said members operative to i cause cessation of rotation thereof, switch means 'mary potential selecting device successively to select potentials said members may be stopped in selected relative positions:

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 which the potential selecting device comprises 'a voltage divider having a tapped resistance, and a'relatively movable contactor cooperating with the taps of said resistance for successively selecting voltages and impressing them on a terminal of the control means. v

5. In a signalingsystem, a plurality of potentiometer devices at different stations responsive toconditions .thereat to be signaled, a central station, conductors common to all of said plurality of potentiometer devices and the central station, means at each potentiometer device actuated by the condition to be signaled for sue-- cessively contacting selected points of the potentiometer to a certain one of said conductors, an

indicating code signal device at the central station comprising a plurality of rotary members I each adapted to be stopped many of a plurality of predetermined positions for setting up difierent code 'indicia; and means at the central stafor successively causing operation of said stop means, means for operating said switch means "comprising a commutator and a cooperating brush relatively rapidly'rotated in definite timed relation to said members, means for establishing" a difierentpotential on each or different segments or said commutator for varying the potential impressedon said brush, a primary device. for successively selecting diflerent potentials,

tion responsive respectively to the points of the potentiometer successively contacted for stopping rotation of said rotary members, each .respectivelyin one of said plurality of predetermined positions.

- 6. In a signaling system, a plurality of potentiometer devices at different stations responsive to conditions thereat to be signaled, a central station, conductors common to all of said plucontrol means for said switch means responsive to' a predetermined potential diil'erence, electrical connections for impressing on said control means the pctentialdiflerence between the instant potential on said brushandthe instant potential selected by said primary device for causing said control means to .eirect operation an indicating code signal device at the central.

-rality of potentiometer devices and the central station, means at each potentiometer device actuated by the condition to be, signaled for successively contacting. selected points of the potentiometerto a certain one of said conductors,

station comprising a plurality of rotary members each adapted to be stopped in any of a plurality of predetermined positions for setting up differof said switch means when said brush and com-' mutator are in a predetermined'relative rotative positionto establish a. predetermined potential ent code indicia; and means atthe central station for successively stopping rotation of said rotary members, each respectively in one of said pluralityot predetermined positions, upon the tween 9. potential of said series of potentials and the respective different potentials successively impressed on said certain one of said conductors by the points of said potentiometer.

8. In a signaling system, a plurality of potentiometer devices at diiferent stations responsive to conditions thereat to be signaled, a central station, conductors common to all of said plurality of potentiometer devices and the central station, means at each potentiometer device actuated by the condition to be signaled for succesq sively contacting selected points of the potentiv ometer to a certain one of said conductors; an

tiometer to a certain one of said conductors, an I indicating code signal device at the central station comprising a plurality of rotary members each adapted to be stopped in any of a pluraiity of predetermined positions for setting up difierent code indicia; meansat the central station for successively stopping rotation of said rotary members, each respectively in one of said plurality of predetermined positions, upon the points of the potentiometer being successively so contacted comprising a device for rapidly impressing a series of potentials each of different value while each point of said potentiometer is contacted, the respective values of the potentials of said series corresponding to substantially those established by the respective points of said potentiometer, and the last mentioned means being responsive to substantially a zero difierence beindicating code signal device at the central station comprising a plurality of rotary members each adapted to be stopped in any of a plurality of predetermined positions for setting up different code indicia, a cooperating commutator and brush at the central station relatively rapidly rotated .in timed relation to said rotary memhers when the latter are rotated, means connecting the respective commutator segments to sources of potential each of different value, and means responsive respectively to predetermined diflerences between the potentials successively impressed on said brush by said commutator and those successively impressed on said certain one of said conductors by the points of said potentiometer for successively stopping rotation oi said rotary members.

HAROLD J. GR. 

